Pipe coupling



H. F. SHINDELv- PIPE COUPLING June 27, 1933.

Filed June 9, 1931 l@ ,7 m 3mm Patented June 27, 1933 arras il Tf;

HARRY F. SENDEL, OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILLSON PRODUCTS, v

NC., 0F BEADNG, PENNSYLVANIA, .A CORPGBATION OF PENNSYLVANIA PPE GOUPLING Appcationrled June 9, 1931. Serial No. 543,040. l

This invention relates particularly to pipe couplings comprising coacting members one of which is provided with a normally closed iiuid-control valve and the other of which 5 is adapted to open said valve automatically in the act of effecting the coupling; my main obj ect being to provide an improved device in which the members are conveniently separable so as to enable easy and satisfactory cout pling and uncoupling thereof coincidently with the automatic opening and closing of the valve. The invention is fully described in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating its preferred application to a well known type of pneumatic air valve, and the novel features are clearly pointed out in the subjoined claims.

Fig. 1 is ar sectional longitudinal view showingthe two members in fully coupledt' together relation, with the control valve of the one member held open for passage of iiuid; the known valve insides of said member being only suggestively indicated.

Fig. 2 is an exterior view showing the two 25 members in the act of separation; their axes being inclined as is required to conveniently break the coupling.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the coupling ring, shown as mounted upon its carrying member l* with the front portion of the latter broken away.

The coupling members, as illustrated, are provided with similar hose-connecting shank portions a and Z9, and with complementary J5 coupling heads A and B; one of the members having an axial spring-seated control valve 12, and the other an axially fixed valveoperating projection 20, as heretofore employed in valved pipe couplings. The valve it 12 is shown as axially mounted in the coupling member Aa, in connection with known insides comprising a screwed-in valve seat, spring 15, and Contact stem 16, as employed in the so-called Schrader valve for pneui matic tires; it being understood that the particular mounting of said axially movable valve is immaterial to the present invention.

The opposed coupling head B, as shown, is of cylindrical form, with a cylindrical socketrecess 21 having an apertured base portion from which the valve-operating projection 20 iixedly projects centrally. rllhis base portion is preferably provided with a concentric rubber washer22 which forms a yielding seat for the end of the coasting coupling head A 55,1 when the members are fully coupled to gether, so as tc insure against leakage.

rlhe socket-engaging portion of the valved coupling head A is sized to loosely enter the cylindrical socket-recess 2l so as to bring its et)y rounded end into seating contact with said rubber washer 22; and a circular flange 23 is formed at the base of said socket-engaging portion of the coupling head A, and is so arranged relative to the washer-seating end 65., thereof and to the depth of the socket-recess 21 in the head B, that seating of the annular rim 24tof the latter upon said iiange 23 will occur when said rubber washer 22 is slightly compressed to insure tightness between the to f heads A and B while the valve 12 is held open.

For automatically coupling the heads A and B, after they are thus axially pressed together to open the valve 12, I employ a resilient coupling-ring 30; which ring is loosely carried upon the head A when the members are separated,"but is arranged to lock them against unintended axial movement when they have been fully engaged, though permitting of easy breaking of the Coupling when desired. To accomplish this the split round-wire ring 30, is shown engaged in an external groove 31 of the head A, so as to be loosely retained at a determined distance from the flange 23.; and a cooperat- S ing circular stop-shoulder 32 is formed on the inner wall ofthe socket-recess 2l of member B, at a corresponding distance from the rim 2li of the latter; so that when the members A and B are axially engaged so .as t0 abut exteriorly at said iiange 23 and interiorly at the base 22 of the socket-recess 2l, with the valve 15 opened, the split coupling ring 30 wilL-after being lirst closed Vtogether in the suiiicientlyl deep lgroove 31 to permit of 95 full axial engaging movement of the members A `and B,-res1liently expand soas to engage the stop-shoulder of the recesss wall and so hold the members in their set axial relation against any accidental uncou-l N0 pling strain. At the same time however, intended uncoupling'or breaking of the connection is conveniently enabled by utilizing the flange 23 as a fulcrum for effecting the angular spreading-apart of the heads Withinclining of thefaxes of the members, by lat# :eral pressure, as indicated in Fig. 2; the round cross-section of the coupling ring 30, and

loosenessin the `fit of the engaging members,l c

'enabling suliicient compression of the split ring into the groove 31, by a moderate breaking force thus laterally exerted, to permit V'freeing of the head B from the coupling ring f parting from the invention as defined in the claims. y What I claim is:

1L A pipe coupling comprising axially yengageable members provided respectively with an axially movable normally seated valve and a fixed valve-operating projection a split coupling ring collapsibly engaged in a groove formed on the head of one of said members;

c the other member having a. cylindrical recess for receiving the head of said first member; and an interior shoulder on said recessed member adapted to engage said ring for holdmg said members agalnst axial separation when the members are axially engaged to unseat said valve; a rim on said recessed member; and a flange adjacent the head of said ring-carrying member engaged by said rim and serving as a ulcrum for breaking said coupling angular movement of said members about the axis of said coupling.

2. A pipe coupling comprising axially engageable members provi-ded respectively with an axially movable normally seated valve and a fixed valve-operating projection; a

split coupling 'ring collapsibly engaged in ay groove formed on the head of one of said members; the other member having a cylindrical recess'for receiving the head of'said firstniember; an interior shoulder on said recessed member adapted to engage said ring for holding said members against axial sep aration when the members are axially engaged to unseat said valve; an annular rim determinedlyspaced-from said shoulder on .said recessed member; and a flangercorrespondingly spaced from the split ring carried by said other member for contacting engagement by saidrim to break said coupling by exerting force against said rim on yangular movement of said members about the axis of said coupling with said flange serving as a fulcrum.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HARRY F. SHINDEL. 

